No 65 - Danny's Skinning Axe

ddavelarsen

ddavelarsen

Joined
Dec 7, 2000
Messages
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Finally got a (bad) picture of this. My nap got a little long this afternoon and I missed the sunlight. :D

About a year ago a friend of my brother's and mine came to visit (my wife threw a major 50th birthday party for me; folks from all over!). Before he left Danny made a small sketch of a skinning axe he'd been thinking of and asked me to make it for him. Lots of time passed and finally I took a shot at it. I got a little carried away. :rolleyes:

13" overall, 4 1/2" blade
1/4" O1 differentially hardened
Tang is fileworked all the way around
Black paper Micarta, red fiber liners
A few mosaic pins; the rest are 304 SS

It's hard to tell from the crappy pic but the handle provides about four different grips and is all carved and curvy. :D It's fun to play with. Before I put any kind of finish on it I sharpened it up and went out chopping boards, slicing cardboard; you know the drill. By the time I got tired of messing around it'd still shave, so I'm pretty happy with my eyeball heat treat. Maybe I'm finally getting O1 down.

I'm going to feel bad letting it go, there's so much of my life in it... :( sniff! :( Anyway, here it is, hope you like it. :)

65Combo.jpg
 
WOW! That's some serious nice work, big guy! That would be fun to play and work with. Nice design and great finish, too. You put a heck of a lot of TLC into detail, and it shows.
 
Hey thanks guys. I'm glad it's done, I don't think I'll try anything like that again. :D For one thing cutting 1/4" stock is no fun. :eek: It did go a little better when I put a sharp blade on the saw though. Roger you're right, that grind was a trick. I ended up having to rub this thing out because I just couldn't get an even sweep across the whole grind and make it look right. Anyway, it's done and it feels good to play with. I'll get if off to Danny one of these days. :D Thanks for the nice words.
 
That's beautiful Dave! Im our emails you made it sound like it would barely be presentable when you finished it. Is it hollow ground? It's hard to tell in the pic. I really like the sculpting on the micarta handle as well as the file work. The red lining material is a nice touch as well as the pin pattern. Well done!
 
That's a beauty for sure Dave. I love the carved handle. And the filework. looks like it could be easily adapted to kitchen use also.
 
That is seriously cool Dave. As a tool it looks great but, you never let it go at that do you? The carved handle, pin and filework just make it a stunner. It's not normally the kind of piece I'd go for but, this one, I would. No doubt.
 
That is beautiful Dave ! I love those things anyway. The last one I did, I got carried away with the file work too and my daughter grabbed it as soon as it was finished. I haven't seen it since!
 
Thanks guys; if it weren't for your kind feedback it'd be a lot more like work. As it is, it's definately worthwhile. Guy you're right, it's hollow ground. I did that because Danny really does plan to use it for skinning. The main thing though was to cut through big bones and I'm pretty sure it'll handle that too. ;)

Don I'm glad I'm not the only one! Some things just have a way they intend to be...at that point the maker becomes nothing more than a love slave. :rolleyes: :D

J when I was trying to figure out a sheath for this thing, and coming to admit it's just too dang heavy to carry on a belt, Jeanie said I should just make a shoulder strap like Tess did for the hawk you made me. So that's what I did and it worked out fine. Some days Jeanie takes up all the slack, God love her.
 
Dave, Dave, Dave I don't think that's entirely legal.

I mean you talk like he's actually going to use it!?

It should get framed, looks too good for a working tool.

Steve
 
Beautiful work Dave! I really like how you did the handle; another pic for my favorites folder.
Regards,
Greg
 
J, no way I'm gonna use that hawk - you crazy?! :D

Steve it ain't Danny's fault if I went off on his axe. He just wanted something to chop bones with. It'll chop bones! Heck, I used Micarta for the handle, it'll be fine!

Greg I'm embarrassed - that picture sucks. :o Maybe I can get a good one soon.
 
That's a beautiful piece Dave. Love the fileworked handle and pins. I'm a sucker for a nice axe. :D Your friend should be proud of it. Thanks for sharing.
Scott
 
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